Low profile drain assembly

ABSTRACT

A bathtub drain assembly for a bathtub having a bottom, side walls, and end walls wherein an end wall has an overflow port that is in fluid communication with a drain system and the bottom has a drain port that is fluidly connected to a drain pipe having a low profile portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a bathtub drain assembly and more specifically to an assembly that eliminates the need to cut a groove in the floor during installation.

Drain assemblies are well known in the art and are generally comprised of a drain pipe with a drain elbow that extends below the bottom of the tub and is connected to an overflow pipe as shown in FIG. 1. To install the drain assembly, traditionally, a plumber will cut a slot in the bathroom floor to accommodate the drain elbow and reduce the possibility of bumping or damaging the elbow when the tub is placed in its final location. This process not only is expensive, but also time consuming. Accordingly, there is a need for a drain assembly that is faster and easier to install.

Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub drain assembly that eliminates the need to cut a groove in the bathroom floor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub drain assembly that is easier and more economical to install.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a drain assembly having a low profile.

These and other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is for a drain assembly for use with a bathtub having a bottom, side walls, and end walls. The assembly has an overflow pipe fluidly connected to an overflow port in one end wall of the bathtub that is in fluid communication with a drain pipe that is connected to a drain port in the bottom of the tub. The drain pipe has a low profile portion where the height of the pipe is less than the width.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional bathtub;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the end pipe taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 4 is an end view of an embodiment of the end pipe.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 2, the drain assembly of the present invention is for use with a conventional bathtub 10 having a bottom 12, sidewalls 14, and end walls 16 and 18. The bathtub has an overflow port 20 positioned in end wall 16 and a drain port 22 positioned in the bottom 12 of the tub 10.

The drain assembly is referred to generally by reference numeral 24 and has an overflow pipe 26 that is connected to the overflow port 20 in any conventional manner. The drain assembly 24 also has a drain pipe 28 that is connected to the drain port 22 at a first end 30 and is connected to the overflow pipe 26 at a second end 32. The drain pipe 28 is connected to the overflow pipe 26 in any conventional manner such as integrally formed or connected by a T-bar 34 as shown in FIG. 2.

The drain pipe 28 has a low profile portion 36 located near the first end 30 where the height of the low profile portion 36 is less than the width as shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, there is an elbow portion 38 that connects the low profile portion 36 to the first end 30 to facilitate the flow of fluid. The low profile portion 36 extends from the first end 30 to the second end 32 for connection to the overflow pipe 26 or the T-bar 34 or alternatively could extend from the first end 30 to a high profile portion 40 as shown in FIG. 2.

The shape of the drain pipe 28 is oval as shown in FIG. 3, rectangular as shown in FIG. 4, or any other shape. Alternatively, the low profile portion 36 has a shape (i.e. oval, rectangular) that is different from the high profile portion (i.e. circular). Regardless of the shape, substantially the same flow area of the drain pipe 28 is present as compared with a conventional drain pipe.

In operation, the T-bar 34 is connected to the primary drain pipe 42. The overflow pipe 26 and the drain pipe 28 having a low profile portion 36 are then connected to the T-bar 34. Next, the tub 10 is moved into position and the overflow pipe 26 is connected to the overflow port 20 and the drain pipe 26 is connected to the drain port 22 at the first end 30. Because of the low profile portion 36 of the drain pipe 28, the drain pipe 28 can extend below the bottom 12 of the tub 10 without the need to cut a slot in the bathroom floor. Accordingly, the present invention meets at least its stated objectives. 

1. A drain assembly comprising: a bathtub having a bottom with a drain port, adjacent sidewalls and end walls; a drain pipe in fluid communication with the drain port; and the drain pipe having a low profile portion.
 2. The drain assembly of claim 1 wherein the low profile portion of the drain pipe has an oval shape.
 3. The drain assembly of claim 1 wherein the low profile portion of the drain pipe has a rectangular shape.
 4. The drain assembly of claim 1 wherein the drain pipe is in fluid communication with a drain system.
 5. The drain assembly of claim 4 wherein the assembly further comprises an overflow pipe in fluid communication with an overflow port within an end wall and in fluid communication with the drain system.
 6. The drain assembly of claim 1 wherein the drain pipe has a high profile portion. 